Seahawks go broke for Rashid Shaheed
Seattle commits itself to making Shaheed a part of the offense in 2026
The Seattle Seahawks are re-signing receiver/returner Rashid Shaheed and giving him a three-year, $51 million contract with $34.7 million guaranteed. It must be the most money ever given to a receiver who averaged 1.5 catches per game the previous season with the team.
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But clearly with the memories of a Super Bowl victory and several game-changing plays on his resume in high-leverage situations that helped Seattle win key games down the stretch + in the playoffs, the Seahawks were not willing to lose the investment they made at the 2025 trade deadline by giving up a 4th and a 5th round pick for Shaheed.
Seaside Joe has always said he’ll own his mistakes and paying Shaheed $17 million per season was 100% something I said could not and would not happen. It’s nothing against Shaheed, especially as a returner, but the comps for him do not come anywhere close to numbers like these ones. If another team wanted to pay Shaheed this much money then sure, it could make sense in a situation like the Las Vegas Raiders.
However, this means that the Seahawks must feel strongly about Shaheed’s ability to integrate into Brian Fleury’s offense next season as a true WR2. It could not possibly be $17 million to be a kick returner.
The other interesting wrinkle to this contract is where it leaves Cooper Kupp, another receiver on the team who is making $17 million per season despite not producing much as a receiver. Seattle appears to be pot committed to Kupp for 2026 and they’re also working on a record-breaking extension for Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Can you blame me for being a little surprised that the Seahawks are going to pay three wide receivers when they 29th in pass attempts last year?
By all means, I do welcome Shaheed back into the fold for another two seasons (three is the length of the contract but it’ll take a hell of a run to get to 2028 on this deal) and believe he brings a unique and important skillset to Seattle’s offense that they’re not going to get from any other weapon on offense.
In other terms, the Seahawks opted to pay Shaheed similar money to what they decided was “too much” for Kenneth Walker III, symbolizing a belief that elite athleticism and versatility are more important among skill players than being an every-other-down running back.
Shaheed caught 15 passes for 188 yards with Seattle in the regular season, then added three for 78 in the playoffs. That’s 18 catches in 12 games, plus 11 carries for just under 100 yards. The Seahawks are going to need more from Shaheed in 2026 to justify this contract and obviously because of the contract that’s a priority for Fleury to figure out going into his first season as an offensive coordinator for any team.
How would you grade this deal?
In a world where someone pays Boye Mafe 20 million to not get sacks, I'll take Shaheed's contract for his play in, as you describe, those high-leverage situations. He changed games at critical junctures. And, we keep the "value" of the draft capital we traded to get him. I wonder if his loss would have also been demoralizing to a team because of how highly regarded he seems to be and how high his impact was in clutch situations.
It was an overpay salary wise.But that's what can easily happen when you trade for someone on an expiring contract. The player has you at a disadvantage, especially where he has a noticeable positive impact
Overall i'm quite happy
Let’s not forget Shaheed had 499 yards in 1/2 a season with New Orleans with less than average QBs throwing the ball. I would venture they see much better receiver production from him next season. Plus, he is far and away the most dangerous return man in the game. I actually think Horton will produce more as WR2 next year, with Shaheed coming in with 750 yards as WR3, but with 5 or 6 huge TD plays as a receiver. Since he has been in the league, with receivers with 10 or more TD receptions, he averages 42 yards per TD catch, far and away the most yards on a TD reception by a huge margin. He will be worth it, and $17 million a year is an over statement. The real hit will likely be less and I am guessing the final year is an easy out with little cost to the Seahawks. I can’t wait to see Shaheed explode next year! (I know this is overly positive, but take a moment to dream of what can be!)
I give this a B+, Jobe is an A+